St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-06-19
THE CITY WATER SUPPLY.
An Interesting Showing Made BY
President GiIfillan.


Owing to the fact that there have
been numerous complaints recently be-
cause the rules regarding the use of the
hOScWere being strictly enforced, Sec
Rotary Caulfield, of the water board, has
sent inquiries to about seventy-five of
the largest cities i'll the United States
and Canada, asking their rules in regard
to the matter. He has received answers
from nearly all of these cities, and all
of them say that restrictions are placed
on the consumers, and in nearly all of
them they are more severe than in st.
Paul. In all cities those using hose are
required to hold it while in use, and
whenever used as fountains. fountain
rules are charged. The lowest fine im-
posed for violating the rules in all of
the cities heard from is s., and most of
the cities prohibit the use of the hose
during fire, under penalty of heavy
fine.
The report of President Gilfillan, of
the board of water commissioners, shows
that Oh the high service the united ca
pacity OF the pumps is 100000 gallons
every twenty-four hours. The amount
calculated to be used for Sprinlllng,
washing and by families is estimated
at t0S0,GG0 gallons daily, principally
between Z a. III. and 6 p. II. 1t is evil
dent, therefore, he says. that sufficient
pressure can not be obtained il water is
used for ordinary purposes, sprinkling
With hose and carts. If all are consuming
at the same time, and there would be
but little water for the fire department,
which in case Of 4 large fire would be
helpless. The main pipe from the pumps
to the city does not lie on uniform
grade,and Ill case OF draft of water inthe
city for minute, greater that the max
lmum capacity OF the main through its
length, vacuum occurs at the points of
elevation, which, when filled with air,
causes churning motion. This results
in the cutting off Of the streams, and air
vents are made to let out the air at the
SUBMITS. y record made On June 10
showed that between II IN. and D. m.
1ff,000 GALLONS wEEE
used out of The $4,000 total capacity Of
the pumps. The pumps are capable of
supplying more than double the present
number of high service consumers were
1t not for the extraordinary amount
taken At times by the street Sprinlllers.
of which there are forty in use. 1t is
necessary that the high service reser-
yolr should be built as soon as possible.
When this is completed the supply NAV
be more than quadrupled. 1t is the
duty of the board to supply water first
for the ordinary domestic purposes and
the use of the fire department,
and every other use should be
regulated so as not to interfere with
these objects. 1t is safe to say that if
all persons are allowed to use water at
all times without restraint, the cost of
water for the ordinary use will be more
than trebled, if. indeed, it is possible at
all to meet Tile demand.
Mr: Gillian recommends to the
board: First. the construction of the
high service reservoir rs soon as posi-
bic, and IFS connection by larger pipes
with The distribution pipes, and to pro-
vide for additional pumping power, to
be ready for use rs soon as the reser-
vor Is completed; second, the strict
enforcement Of the regulations relating
to the use OF water by hose, etc, during
business hours.